Installer Online spoke to Zaptec UK about the real business case for fleet electrification in 2025 and the factors that sit beyond headline fuel savings. With growing pressure from ESG commitments, low emission zone regulation and tender requirements, Zaptec argues that electrification is no longer just a cost discussion. It is a resilience strategy that can reduce downtime, improve operational predictability and support long term growth.
Zaptec is known for high reliability charging hardware with a 99.97 percent uptime record across the field, supported by smart load management and scalable installation design. Their work with fleets across the UK has highlighted common blind spots in TCO calculations, installation planning and infrastructure scaling. In this Q&A they share insights on grants, stakeholder alignment and the practical ROI that smart charging can unlock today.
What fleet managers really need to know in 2025
When fleets consider going electric, what should decision makers pay attention to beyond headline cost savings?
"The financial argument is important, but the real business case for electrification sits in operational resilience and long-term predictability. EVs simplify maintenance, reduce downtime and allow far more accurate forecasting. That is something most CFOs value more than a simple fuel comparison. The bigger risk is usually infrastructure. If charge points are unreliable, incompatible or difficult to scale, the entire fleet suffers. High uptime performance, such as Zaptec’s 99.97 percent in the field, removes that uncertainty.
Decision makers also need to recognise that electrification is no longer just a transport project. It feeds directly into ESG targets, tender requirements, air quality commitments and employee expectations. A fleet that cannot show a credible electrification plan risks falling behind competitors or losing access to low emission zones and major contract frameworks."
When evaluating TCO, what tends to get overlooked?
"Across our many conversations with fleet we’ve found there tends to be three big blind spots when considering TCO for electrification.
Utilisation: TCO often focuses on the cost per vehicle, not the bigger picture. Smart charging gives visibility of how long vehicles are idle, the real energy they need and where charging can be consolidated. Many fleets discover they either do not need as many vehicles or can rotate them more efficiently.
Installation: Fleets often underestimate installation complexity. Cabling, ducting, load management hardware and future capacity planning can add unexpected costs. A smarter single cable architecture, such as that used with Zaptec Pro installations, reduces these costs significantly and avoids paying again when the fleet grows.
Grid and load management: Without proper load balancing, depots either overspend on grid upgrades or underdeliver charging. Both hit TCO hard. Efficient load sharing means you use the capacity you already have before buying more."
What grants and incentives are available for fleets and how should they be used?
"There are several important schemes that help reduce the upfront cost of workplace and depot charging.
Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS): Provides up to 350 pounds per socket, covering 75 percent of purchase and installation costs, up to 40 sockets per applicant. It is available to businesses, charities and public sector bodies.[1]
EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets: Designed for SMEs, this supports the wider infrastructure needed for charging. Grants are available up to 15,000 pounds per site, covering 75 percent of costs including cabling, posts and installation.[2]
Depot Charging Scheme (deadline 28th November 2025): This offers up to 1 million pounds per organisation. It covers up to 75 percent of eligible installation and civil engineering costs. This is especially relevant for logistics, utilities, local authorities and fleets operating from dedicated depots. [3]
The best practice approach is to align grants with a scalable hardware platform. There is little point saving money on a first install only to replace the equipment later when you need MID metering, open protocol integration or energy management. Grants should support longevity, not short term wins."
In a fleet electrification project, where do stakeholders tend to disagree and how do you align them?
"Each group sees value differently. Finance look for ROI and risk reduction. Fleet managers care about uptime and simplicity. Sustainability teams focus on carbon reduction and reporting. Drivers prioritise convenience. Facilities managers think about installation disruption and safety.
The way to bring them together is data. Show real world performance: uptime, cost per kWh, maintenance avoided, emissions avoided and savings from load balancing. When each stakeholder sees how their own KPI improves, alignment becomes much easier."
Where is the real ROI in smart charging?
"Smart charging delivers benefits today. Load balancing means you can connect more vehicles without paying for large grid upgrades. Time of use optimisation cuts electricity costs, especially for fleets charging overnight. Many fleets see 30 to 50 percent savings simply by spreading charging intelligently. Fleets can profit from this intelligent charging by also reducing demand on the grid by acting as a DSR and generate income for being a mobile battery solution in the meantime.
Longer term, the reliability of high-quality hardware means less downtime, less maintenance and fewer emergency callouts. The combination creates a compound return that goes beyond energy costs alone."
How do you quantify co benefits such as brand, sustainability and clean air access within TCO?
"The key is to make co benefits tangible. Show how an electric fleet increases competitiveness in tenders, reduces risk exposure in Clean Air Zones, and contributes to mandatory ESG reporting. Quantify avoided fines or zone charges. Demonstrate carbon reductions in tonnes, not percentages. Highlight community and customer perception improvements, especially for fleets operating in residential or city centre environments.
When these are added to fuel savings, maintenance reductions and operational stability, the business case for electrification becomes stronger and far more strategic."
Next steps to efficient fleet electrification
"Whether you are at the early planning stage or already rolling out EVs, Zaptec can help you design a charging strategy that supports your fleet today and scales with you tomorrow. If you would like to explore a smarter, more reliable path to electrification, our fleet team is ready to talk."
As electrification continues to accelerate, the focus is shifting from early adoption to long term capability. With proven reliability and a platform built for growth, Zaptec supports fleets in designing infrastructure that performs today and scales without disruption. Businesses that plan ahead now are set to gain the strongest operational and financial advantage.
Footnotes
[1] Workplace Charging Scheme, Gov.uk
[2] Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets, UK Government Grant Finder
[3] Depot Charging Scheme, UK Government Grant Finder
